3.5 Stars

This book was a fast paced easy read set in a small village in the English countryside. Maddy inherits her long lost uncles house and is thrust into organising the local literary festival, whilst sharing the house with her enemy, a famous writer.

I really enjoyed the side plots in this book. Maddys relationships with the village residents and the mystery around her uncles past were such an interesting addition to this book. I wish that the mystery element had been introduced a bit sooner though.

For a romance book there was a significant lack of a build up with the romance. They randomly kissed one day and then suddenly were sharing a bed? I wanted more build up and feelings explored to make me root for Maddy and Luke as a couple.


*SPOILERS*
Also, the third act breakup was so random. Luke suddenly got annoyed at Maddy and left, even though she did nothing wrong. Maddy then completely forgave Luke for treating her like this. I wish she’d made Luke grovel a bit more.

What Would Jane Austen Do? By Linda Corbett
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is your typical enemies (that aren't really enemies) to lovers mixed with English banter. Theres the usual person who hates romance in forced proximity to someone who loves romance and this book explores their relationship. The MC Maddy faces a massive change in her life and this is where her new neighbour comes in. It's definitely a feel good laugh out loud book for a warm summers day.

Madeline (Maddy) Shaw has just been fired on Valentine’s Day from her job as the love and relationship correspondent for UpClose magazine, and her weekly column, Dear Jane. Swallowing her disappointment, she heads to do a podcast on Jane Austen with best-selling author of crime fiction, Cameron Massey. Their debate on romance vs crime novels becomes heated leaving him rather angry.

Soon, she learns from her father that an obscure cousin, Nigel Shaw, has passed away and Maddy is a beneficiary of his will. He left her his large home called Meadowside with a codicil stating she must live in the home for 12 months before she can sell it. So, she agrees. She finds a lot of dust and outdated interior but is intent on doing all she can to fix it up.

The little town is very welcoming and they want Maddy to follow in Nigel’s path and take over running the annual literary festival. With no idea where to start, she vows to dig right in.

Since the house is so large, she lets it be known that she will take in a lodger to help make money to pay for repairs. The man who shows up is none other than Cameron Massey, whose real name is Luke. He lives close by and is having work done on his house and needs quiet to work on his writing. His publisher is pushing him to write another novel about his signature character but he wants to branch out and do something else. So, Maddy challenges him to write a romance novel.

The plot is good here and the characters are real but I felt that there were some side stories that could have been edited out. I liked Buster, the dog and the love that both Maddy and Luke showed him. An OK read, but sadly, not a favorite.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Maddy has lost her job and can no longer afford her current place. But she finds out that she has been left her Cousin Nigel's country home. But, there is a stipulation. She has to live there for one year. There are also a few other challenges along the way, including putting up with a cranky crime author who ends up living with her.

This book had such a quaint little country town with such a wonderful, if not eccentric, group of people! I love all of the Jane Austin references and how Maddy finds herself within this community. She finds that Nigel was not as her family thought he was and does everything that she can to honor him. This book was filled with delightful banter between Maddy and Cameron, the author. There was a lot to him that Maddy had to push through but it was definitely worth it in the end!

Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a fabulous book by Linda. Well written with excellent characters, especially the loveable dog. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I thought this book was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

Yes yes a hundred times yes! It’s so worth it, read it and we can agree this is one of the best retellings.
All opinions expressed are my own, I was gifted this book through NetGallery.

What a delightful, charming love story all with Jane Austen type themes! Maddie has been sacked from her writing column, unfairly, and then she discovers she has inherited an estate in the country from an unknown cousin. Before moving, she comes face-to-face with an famous author and has a rousing spar over romance in novels. Then, she bumps into him in the country and offers to let him stay in her vast house while his is having repairs. Throw in some quirky locals, a literary festival, and ghost hunting, and you have yourself an enjoyable tale you don't want to put down.

I loved Linda Corbett's writing. Her characterizations are wonderfully displayed through each meeting and scene the locals get together. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read! If you love Jane Austen, then you'll love this romantic comedy!

Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

This book is interesting as it references Jane Austen.

It’s a great easy read rom com that I couldn’t put down.
A great summer read

This was a very enjoyable, easy to read rom-com! Maddy, the main character ends up losing her job in London, while at the same time ends up inheriting a massive country estate from a cousin whom she's never met. We follow Maddy getting used to living in the countryside, and planning the local literary festival while getting to know her love interest, a local crime author. I liked the mystery aspect woven into the story as well as Maddy trying to find out more about the cousin she never knew. As an Austen fan, I also enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of every chapter and the subtle nods to each of Austen's novels throughout the story. My main criticism was that I didn't quite connect with the love interest/ feel the chemistry between them, it was predictable as well but I still overall enjoyed the story.

This was a great fun read of a book. I loved the characters and storyline development. And locations used where nice and overall a nice read. Recommend

Have you ever wondered what a famous person would do in your situation? In this story, Maddy uses her knowledge and love of Jane Austen to question herself and the situations around her.

First, I loved the characters in this book. Maddy, who’s life goes from carefree in London to a small English village, where she not only inherits a home, but a entire village of local characters. Luke/Cameron, an author who’s desperately trying to write another crime mystery, but as Maddy’s neighbor and then housemate, is stuck (in more ways than writing). Buster, Luke’s dog, who brings Maddy into Luke’s life and is a great third wheel in this enemy to lover trope. Plus, the author adds a variety of village characters who each add something unique to the story.
Second, the setting. Small, quaint fairly typical English village with nosy residents. After London, Cotlington initially appears boring to Maddy, but she’s in for the surprise. Her house, Meadowside, is large, dusty, and overwhelming. It’s also the location for the annual literary festival.
Finally, this is a fairly simple enemy to lovers trope. But don’t let that fool you. The author has several ways of making this one different. The use of quotes with each chapter adds to the overall theme. What would Jane Austen do? Maddy uses her knowledge of Jane Austen to question herself, Luke, and others.

I really enjoyed reading this book. This is a wonderful 4+ stars. I hope the author has more coming out soon. I recommend for those of us who enjoy a fun read and Jane Austen.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read What Would Jane Austen Do? All opinions are my own.

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to step into the world of Jane Austen and experience a romantic adventure filled with wit, charm, and unexpected connections, then "What Would Jane Austen Do" by Linda Corbett is the book for you!

In this delightful tale, we meet Maddy Shaw, a journalist and devoted Jane Austen fan girl, who finds herself facing a sudden change when her beloved Dear Jane column gets the boot. With no other options in London's rental market, Maddy reluctantly finds herself in an idyllic country home left to her by Cousin Nigel, the long-not-so-lost black sheep of the family. But, as expected, there's a catch! Maddy is not only made chair of the committee for the village's annual literary festival, but she also has to contend with Cameron Massey, a bestselling crime author and a notorious romance sceptic, as her new neighbor.

The chemistry between Maddy and Cameron is electric from the start. Their interactions are filled with banter, tension, and a healthy dose of skepticism. But as the story progresses, we witness the sparks flying both on and off the page. Maddy, ever the Austen aficionado, challenges Cameron to write romantic fiction, believing it to be a piece of cake. Little did she know that this challenge would lead them down a path of self-discovery, unexpected connections, and a romance that neither of them saw coming.

Linda Corbett has woven a tale that is not only a love letter to Jane Austen but also a testament to the enduring power of romance and the strength of human connections. The writing is sparkling and enchanting, capturing the essence of Austen's wit and wisdom. Each chapter begins with a well-chosen quote from Austen, providing a delightful nod to her work and offering a glimpse into the themes that will unfold.

As a fan of Austen myself, I found great joy in spotting the wisdom hidden within these pages. Linda Corbett has masterfully intertwined the essence of Austen's writing with a modern-day story that is playful, fun, and utterly captivating. It's a book that will lift your spirits and serve as the perfect antidote to a bad day.

"What Would Jane Austen Do" is an uplifting and humorous read that will leave you with a smile on your face. Linda Corbett has crafted a story that is not just for Austen enthusiasts but for anyone who appreciates a delightful escape into a world of love, literature, and unexpected connections. It's a book that brightened my day and made me believe in the magic of romance once again. It is a glorious tribute to the timeless brilliance of Jane Austen's works. With its witty and observant writing, well-crafted plot, and lovable characters, it is sure to be a favorite among readers this year. I give it a resounding five out of five stars and highly recommend it to all lovers of romance, literature, and the enchanting world of Jane Austen. Prepare to be swept away!

I cannot wait for this book to get in the hands of those that love a quirky romance with excellent banter. The characters are some of my favorite and surprised how easy it was to inside my self in the writing.

Every chapter in this book opens with something related to Jane Austen's books!

What Would Jane Austen Do is a sweet, contemporary romance. The two characters go from frenemies to swoon worthy chemistry, begging the question which couple they'd truly be from an Austen novel.

This romance is utterly absorbing and delightful. Where can one find an uncle to gift them a countryside estate in England - asking' for a friend!!

Thank you One More Chapter for the complimentary copy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. This is a light enjoyable read with quotations from Jane Austen's books at the start of each chapter. The story itself focuses on Maddy who inherits a country mansion from her father's cousin Nigel and takes in a lodger who just so happens to be a best selling author. ⭐⭐⭐

This book was a lovely read. It was an interesting story with good strong characters and an engrossing and at times amusing romantic read. At times it was a bit of a rollercoaster and always enjoyable.

What Would Jane Austen Do is a delightful romcom, with a cozy mystery thrown in for good measure.

When Maddy's estranged Uncle Nigel leaves her his property, Meadowside, with the proviso that she cannot sell it for 12 months, she is determined to stick it out for a year, then sell up.

But there's one more revelation - Maddy must now take over the role of chair for the Cotlington Literary Festival.

And she has a lodger, the irascible Cameron Massey aka Luke Hamilton. A man who decries romantic fiction as predictable and simplistic.

As Maddy explores her uncle's mementoes, she stumbles across a newspaper clipping about a band, and a tragic accident. So why is Uncle Nigel in the photo? And the plot of one of Cameron's thrillers bears a striking resemblance to that news article. So what is their connection?

This book is proof that romantic fiction is not all the same, nor is it all simplistic or predictable. Beautiful plot lines, amazing characters and a quietly understated romance that felt authentic.

It was a lovely story and an enjoyable read, but that was about it. The story didn't develop into more than the expected romantic trope although it had room to do so and more. Unfortunately there were no big surprises or even any true development of the characters to invest the reader into wanting to follow them possibly into sequels.

This was super cute and adorable - an enjoyable read and a sweet read with a fun story.

Totally great for a lazy summer weekend